The World Health Organization (WHO) has considered the strengthening of death certification and cause-of-death reporting in Cabo Verde as an important milestone for reinforcing the national health system. This statement was made by the WHO Representative in the country, Ann Lindstrand, during the ceremony for the delivery of computer equipment to the Ministry of Health, held this week in the city of Praia.

According to Lindstrand, the central objective of the initiative is to “improve the quality, availability, and use of mortality data,” which are considered essential for strategic planning, public policy formulation, and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Over the past few months, significant progress has been made, including the technical and operational review of the death certification process and broad discussions with various stakeholders from the health sector, civil registry, and national statistics,” Lindstrand emphasized.

The ceremony also marked the signing of a cooperation protocol between WHO and the Ministry of Health, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting Cabo Verde in consolidating the progress already achieved. Lindstrand reaffirmed that the effective use of mortality data is an essential tool to save lives, improve quality and equity in health, and ensure that no one is left behind.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Jorge Figueiredo, also highlighted the strategic importance of the project:

“Improving death certification and cause-of-death reporting is a vital commitment to transparency and human dignity. With the equipment delivered, we aim to increase the percentage of deaths with well-defined causes, reduce the time between the occurrence of death and the availability of data, and achieve coverage above 95% in priority units. This project contributes to respecting each life and each story, ensuring that no death goes unexplained and that each data point becomes prevention and better care for all who are alive.”

The representative of the Embassy of Portugal in Cabo Verde, Odete Serra, was also present and expressed her satisfaction in participating in the project’s closing. Serra emphasized that health is a strategic priority of Portuguese cooperation and highlighted the importance of multilateralism and partnership with WHO.

“This partnership is a hallmark of Portuguese cooperation in Cabo Verde, of which we are very proud,” she stated.

The project “Improving death certification and cause-of-death reporting” is a partnership between the Ministry of Health and WHO, funded by Portuguese Cooperation. The initiative is part of the national strategy to strengthen health information systems, with emphasis on the modernization of DHIS-2 and the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases – ICD-11, in accordance with WHO guidelines.

During the ceremony, 30 desktop computers, 30 monitors, and 1 laptop were delivered, intended for health delegations and central services involved in the process of registration, certification, and analysis of causes of death.